[Media Caucus] Commemoration of World Press Freedom Day

[Ronald Koven]

Dear Heidi --

There is a very real and serious problem with the use of the word
"responsible" or "responsibility" in the press freedom context.

It is a very well-established code word used by authoritarian governments
(and even politicans in non-authoritarian societies) to justify forms of
censorship and self-censorship. 

Of course, nobody advocates "irresponsible" journalism. But the problem is
"responsible" to whom and for what?

In international organizations, goverments like those of China, the old
Soviet Union, Zimbabwe, etc., are constantly calling for recognition of the
need for the press to be "responsible." It usually means don't write
anything that might offend or embarass the government.

Best, Rony Koven